Abstract

Bangladesh is a densely populated country of South East Asia that has a rich tribal presence. It has 1.2 million tribal people which is just above one percent of the total population which belong to in about 58 tribal groups who are living in different parts of the country. The Study was conducted at the Rajshahi Division, in the Naogaon and Rajshahi district at different villages where the Santali and Oraon people lived from their ancestors. Information on their socio-demography, health, disease condition and other related information were collected through a pre-planned questionnaire and the collected data were analyzed to reveal the desire status through Excel and SPSS. The survey covered a random sample of 150 children among three groups (Bengali, Santhal and Oraon). This investigation deals with the assessment of nutritional status and socio-demographic condition through anthropometric indices of children. Most of the child of study area was dropped out before completing primary level education and high number of Bengali respondent of this area completed education from high school and College. Socioeconomic conditions and nutritional status of Bengalis were better than the tribal. Majority of the tribal were thin and lean with medium to short stature. The study showed that females are more underweight then the males. Normal weight group of Bengali male children (57%) was higher than other ethnic groups Santhal (33%) and Oraon male children (30%). This scenario was also same to female. Food adequacy was much lower in Oraon group than Bengali and Santhal. Tribal children were unable to take adequate and nutritional essential food. Only 44% of Santhal and 36% of Oraon intake adequate food as needed for them where 92% of Bengali child took adequate food. Diseases rate was higher in Santali children (40%), than Bengali (16%) and Oraon (38%). The outcome of this study will give an authentic view about the Santhal and Oraon children’s current nutritional status and health condition which may draw the attention of policy makers, health workers and social workers to take necessary steps as soon as possible for ensuring their basic needs for better livelihood.